Visitor Suggestions - Places to hit while in Boise

by JShufelt on Aug 29, 2009 11:34 AM PDT Comment 44 comments

So, I guess there's this football game in Boise in a few days. In the sea of Orange and Blue, there will be spots of yellow and green. I'll be one of those spots. While I've been to Boise before, that schedule was very packed. This time, I anticipate having around 4-5 hours to just kinda kill while we wait for kickoff. Our hotel is about a tiny 20 minute walk from the stadium, though other locations would be welcomed too.

What I'm looking for is the "Visiting fan's guide to Boise". Specifically around Bronco Stadium.

What are the "must visit" eateries? Where could a couple of guys dawning green and yellow have a good time, possible talk football with a few fans, and maybe have a couple beers?

Any other sites to visit? Any pregame activities that might be enjoyable? How's the tailgating scene?

I'll likely be writing up a FanPost of the visit. I want to give a glowing review! So far I've been in Husky country (Ugh. Awful.) for a game, and I've been to Purdue (One of the best groups a visitor could hang out with).

This content was not created by OBNUG and therefore may not meet our standards. On the contrary, it probably exceeds them.

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BUSTERS!

Right down from the stadium. Just don’t wear your green and yellow. Save that for game time.

by cexeko on Aug 29, 2009 12:13 PM PDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Anywhere downtown - rec'd

After the game.

Bar Gernika, Bar DE Nay, Old Chicago, Red Feather, The reef,

Lots of cool places. I’m sure you’ll find Most Boise fans won’t discriminate.

Before the game is dictated by where your walking from. But the tailgate should be good.

I love downtown myself. I usually park (early) across from Julia Davis park by Winco. You’ll never pay more than about 5-6 bones there. At University Drive and Broadway there are several devoted Bronco spots. You shouldn’t catch much flak, but times may have changed since 2006 (when I last attended home game).

Boise State - The best in all the land (The "land" being Idaho, and large parts of California, Oregon, and Nevada.)

by Mikrino on Aug 29, 2009 12:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I’ll be walking from the east either on Beacon Street or Highlander Street to Broadway Ave.

"It’s spelled S-H-U-T-U-P-I-M-S-M-A-R-T-E-R-T-H-A-N-Y-O-U"

by JShufelt on Aug 29, 2009 1:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

aha

You could easily hit Buster’s or Suds on Broadway. Both Bronco Haunts, but great game day food and atmosphere.
Unless you wouldn’t like all the Blue and Orange. There’s always something at Chili’s across Broadway from the Stadium too.

Boise State - The best in all the land (The "land" being Idaho, and large parts of California, Oregon, and Nevada.)

by Mikrino on Aug 29, 2009 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Blue and Orange don’t bother me. :-)
It is Boise on gameday after all.

I just don’t want to get anything thrown at me, or spit in my burger. :-)

"It’s spelled S-H-U-T-U-P-I-M-S-M-A-R-T-E-R-T-H-A-N-Y-O-U"

by JShufelt on Aug 29, 2009 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

nah

none of that, but what do I know.

Boise State - The best in all the land (The "land" being Idaho, and large parts of California, Oregon, and Nevada.)

by Mikrino on Aug 29, 2009 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here it is.

buster’s that is. Great place.

Boise State - The best in all the land (The "land" being Idaho, and large parts of California, Oregon, and Nevada.)

by Mikrino on Aug 29, 2009 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

oops.

Here

Boise State - The best in all the land (The "land" being Idaho, and large parts of California, Oregon, and Nevada.)

by Mikrino on Aug 29, 2009 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I missed Hawaiian days?!?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

"It’s spelled S-H-U-T-U-P-I-M-S-M-A-R-T-E-R-T-H-A-N-Y-O-U"

by JShufelt on Aug 29, 2009 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Pajama Party Night

That’s my fave. And almost all the girls are BSU students. Dirty Little Roddys, China Blue, and the Bistro are my favorites in BoDo.

by cexeko on Aug 29, 2009 1:37 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

if you want some damn good pizza hit Pie Hole…fo shur!

by MiketheTransplant on Aug 29, 2009 7:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You should be good, but seriously if your going out afterword downtown is where its at.

BarDEnay is my personal favorite

The Red Feather is also great but bring your wallet.

Boise State - The best in all the land (The "land" being Idaho, and large parts of California, Oregon, and Nevada.)

by Mikrino on Aug 29, 2009 1:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Isn’t BarDEnay that restaurant with their own distillery?

"It’s spelled S-H-U-T-U-P-I-M-S-M-A-R-T-E-R-T-H-A-N-Y-O-U"

by JShufelt on Aug 29, 2009 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

As seen on A&E.

Boise State - The best in all the land (The "land" being Idaho, and large parts of California, Oregon, and Nevada.)

by Mikrino on Aug 29, 2009 5:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I forgot that place was in Boise. I might have to check that place out, though it doesn’t sound like a hangout before the game.

"It’s spelled S-H-U-T-U-P-I-M-S-M-A-R-T-E-R-T-H-A-N-Y-O-U"

by JShufelt on Aug 29, 2009 5:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great Martinis and Gin and Tonics

Boise State - The best in all the land (The "land" being Idaho, and large parts of California, Oregon, and Nevada.)

by Mikrino on Aug 29, 2009 5:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

the shuttle buses that go back and forth between downtown and BSU stop off right in front

by MiketheTransplant on Aug 29, 2009 7:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

There's always PF Chang's in the BoDo

Boise State - The best in all the land (The "land" being Idaho, and large parts of California, Oregon, and Nevada.)

by Mikrino on Aug 29, 2009 1:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Too bad you won't get to see Jared Zabransky there

Maybe you could meet David Augusto though. Just don’t ask him about his old job, it’s a sensitive subject.

Proverbial ... ... ... Indeed!

by OBNUG Intern on Aug 29, 2009 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why go to a chain restaurant when you can go to something local? I prefer Mai Thai to PF Chang’s, for that reason. (Mai Thai might be slightly more expensive; I haven’t been to PF Chang’s to compare prices.) (It now occurs to me that your suggestion of PF Chang’s is tongue-in-cheek, and an in-joke.)

http://www.maithaigroup.com/maithai_boise/index.html
(caution: sound)

If you want something more unique, you could try the Boise Fry Company (they serve fries, with burgers on the side). It’s just a couple blocks from the stadium, which might make it a bit crowded? (Also, when they run out of food, they close down. I’ve only been there twice, and still, I’ve seen it happen—they got a wedding party in there and had to close down early. With this in mind, this might not be the best place to try if it might be a busy day there. Especially if you come later in the day. For a burger place, though, it’s kind of interesting.)
http://www.boisefrycompany.com/

One of the more unique things about Boise is the Basque block. There’s a significant Basque community here, and it’s one of the few places where you can find Basque ethnic food and such. The Basque block has 3 Basque restaurants. (Bar Gernika, mentioned earlier, is one of them, and the only one I’ve been to. I don’t get out much!) The croquettes at Bar Gernika are worth trying (not that I’ve tried them because I’m vegetarian). Paella is the only other food that comes to mind when I think of Basque cooking.

Another neat place to go, although a bit further from downtown (not too far) is Donnie Mac’s Trailer Park Cuisine. It’s pretty kitschy.
http://donniemacgrub.com/main.html

For pizza, The Pie Hole downtown, and Flying Pie (two locations—not downtown, but not too far away) are both good.
http://www.pieholeusa.com/
http://www.flyingpie.com/

by Egnowit on Aug 29, 2009 4:32 PM PDT up reply actions 3 recs

Pie hole is terrific! rec'd for specificity

Boise State - The best in all the land (The "land" being Idaho, and large parts of California, Oregon, and Nevada.)

by Mikrino on Aug 29, 2009 5:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh!!

If you’re looking for Chinese, you need to go to the Downtown Yen Ching. Yes, it’s a chain, but it’s rated as a 4-star restaurant. They’re Vegetable Rice is to DIE for!

I believe it’s on 9th and something…

"You know where i'm from, a little suspicion about one's true identity and motives is considered good manners."
-- Nale

by Loque on Aug 29, 2009 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah. We’ve got PF Chang’s here in PDX.

I find the Basque block to be very interesting.

Donnie Mac’s Trailer Park Cuisine – Wow… just… wow. Rec’d just for that.

For pre-game
Buster’s and Pie Hole look close to the stadium, and it’s been mentioned quite a few times. I’ll keep them high on my list.

Mai Thai
I love – Love – LOVE Thai food. I’m fortunate to live next to three great Thai restaurants. If it is extremely exceptional, I’ll have try it out the day I head back to Portland.

"It’s spelled S-H-U-T-U-P-I-M-S-M-A-R-T-E-R-T-H-A-N-Y-O-U"

by JShufelt on Aug 29, 2009 6:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sinc you're coming from Oregon.

There’s always North Boise. Where all the hippies hang out. What’s the restaurant up there… Richard’s? A little pricey, but there’s a sandwich shop juts North that I love. Anybody that can do cranberries and avocado is good in my books.

"You know where i'm from, a little suspicion about one's true identity and motives is considered good manners."
-- Nale

by Loque on Aug 29, 2009 5:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Parilla Grill on 13th is excellent with a indoor/outdoor bar. Try the Cajun Wrap!

by MiketheTransplant on Aug 29, 2009 7:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Goldy's!!!

Voted for by someone for having the best breakfast in the something area….
(Actually voted top breakfast in the nation by someone once…)

Awesome food, always packed… a great friday morning spot id say. i believe its on capital… down by main street

by BustersBFF on Aug 29, 2009 5:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Capitol between Grove and Main. Good call.

by MiketheTransplant on Aug 29, 2009 7:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thank you for this post, Shu.

The most I ever did in downtown Boise was the Pita Pit when I lived there. Now I have a treasure trove of places to bring my wife for next Thursday/Friday. I owe you one!

"You know where i'm from, a little suspicion about one's true identity and motives is considered good manners."
-- Nale

by Loque on Aug 29, 2009 8:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

My pleasure!

It’s a bit overwhelming, because the stadium is so close to downtown. I’m use to people just saying “Go to Renny’s” or something like that. A lot of really interesting sounding places, that I don’t have time, as well as the fact that my stomach simply isn’t big enough.

"It’s spelled S-H-U-T-U-P-I-M-S-M-A-R-T-E-R-T-H-A-N-Y-O-U"

by JShufelt on Aug 29, 2009 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Taste the flavor.

Every think about being anorexic?

"You know where i'm from, a little suspicion about one's true identity and motives is considered good manners."
-- Nale

by Loque on Aug 29, 2009 9:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Crescent No Lawyer's Bar

It’s probably the best sports bar in town. I believe it’s on Franklin.

by cexeko on Aug 30, 2009 10:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Except for the heavy heavy heavy cigarette smoke in there. They cater to smokers (one of the few places that do) so if you’re a non-smoker and planning on eating, don’t go there.

by JasonHaberman on Aug 31, 2009 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Big Juds!!

I’m surprised no one has mentioned it yet its close and has delicious burgers.. besides that cant go wrong with pie hole even though i think the one downtown has a better atmosphere.

"Your future is not today, but today makes your future." - Napoleon Hill

by OneTrueBlue on Aug 30, 2009 3:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Also, don’t forget the newest joint, Boise Fry Company on Broadway just north of the stadium a few blocks. (Corner of Idaho St.). Great burgers and awesome fries.

Also, if you’re thinking Busters, get there early. That place will probably be full all day Thursday.

by JasonHaberman on Aug 31, 2009 11:20 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs